Abdulqaadir named Gateway Conference Top Newcomer; Sambursky named Top Freshman

Dec. 2, 2002

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Southern Illinois running back Muhammad Abdulqaadir was named Gateway Conference "Newcomer of the Year," and quarterback Joel Sambursky was tabbed "Freshman of the Year," the league announced Monday.

It marked the first time in conference history that a school has swept both awards.

In addition to honors bestowed on Abdulqaadir and Sambursky, Saluki wide receiver Courtney Abbott and linebacker Royal Whitaker were named to the All-Newcomer team.

Abdulqaadir Named "Newcomer of the Year"

Abdulqaadir (St. Louis, Mo./Eureka High) played in just eight games, missing the last three with a broken hand, but carried for 1,331 yards and a 6.8 average. He won four-straight ?Player of the Week? awards from the Gateway Conference and four-straight national awards for ?Player of the Week? from Don Hansen's Weekly Football Gazette. No player has ever won four-straight POW awards in the Gateway Conference. Abdulqaadir set the school's single-season record for points scored (128), rushing touchdowns (20) and total touchdowns (21).. He carried for more than 200 yards in four games, including 312 rushing yards against Division I-A Eastern Michigan.

Sambursky named "Freshman of the Year"

Sambursky (Liberty, Mo./Liberty High) started all 12 games at quarterback for the Salukis and completed 55 percent of his passes (92-of-167) for 1,308 yards. He threw 10 TD passes, rushed for four TDs and threw just five interceptions. The redshirt freshman was also third on the team in rushing with 487 yards and compiled 1,795 yards of total offense, the 7th most in a season in school history. His brightest moment came against league champion Western Illinois as he led a dramatic, come-from-behind victory with a six-yard TD pass on the game's final play to cap a 10-play, 80-yard drive. It remains the Leathernecks' only loss of the season.

Abbott named to All-Newcomer team

Abbott (Caney, Kan./Caney Valley High) started all 12 games and led the team in receptions with 26 and receiving yards with 496. The JUCO transfer from Coffeyville Community College also caught a team-high four TD passes and averaged 19.1 yards per catch. A former quarterback, he was involved in numerous trick plays and was 2-for-4 passing the ball for 49 yards.

Whitaker named to All-Newcomer team

Whitaker (Lenexa, Kan./Olathe North High) was the Gateway and national ?Defensive Player of the Week? vs. Western Illinois as he posted 14 tackles, including two for loss and a sack. The true freshman played in every game and started the last seven. He finished third on the team in tackles with 82 and had a career-high 17 stops vs SMS. On the season, he led team in tackles for loss with 6.5 and fumbles caused with 2.

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Abdulqaadir named Gateway Conference Top Newcomer; Sambursky named Top Freshman

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